Puscifer Announces New Album ‘Normal Isn’t’ and Expands ‘Pusciverset’ with Comic Book Series
Puscifer has kicked off 2026 with the release of a new single, “ImpetuoUs,” and an intriguing announcement: the development of a comic book series set within the band’s established fictional universe. The single serves as the final preview of their upcoming album, “Normal Isn’t,” slated for release on February 6 via Puscifer Entertainment, Alchemy Recordings, and BMG.
The track opens with a “pulsating synth” that gradually builds into a soundscape featuring Maynard James Keenan’s signature vocals. Lyrics like, “You feel it too/ They’re all afraid/ We’re not the same, no need to be/ Lets make some waves,” hint at the album’s thematic core. The song then transitions into a more “electronic, slightly-menacing” tone, culminating in a powerful climax with the lines, “We are the curious, dauntless, and venturous in all ways/ We are the Vehement the Unpredictable unafraid.”
Keenan shared his perspective on the creative process, stating, “I’m looking forward to hearing where this song takes people. As the writers, we forget that in a way, we are carpenters and that we’ve been with this song since it was a pile of lumber.” He further elaborated, “Our perspective may differ from the final occupant of this space we’ve constructed. Shelter, Bridge or Gallows, Coffin? Curious to find out.”
The music video for “ImpetuoUs” provides the first glimpse into “Tales From The Pusciverset,” a new comic book series. The debut issue will focus on Bellendia Black, a character previously introduced in the video for “Pendulum.” Further details regarding the series, which will coincide with the release of “Normal Isn’t,” are expected soon.
“Normal Isn’t” was recorded across Arizona, Los Angeles, and during Puscifer’s ‘Sessanta Tour’ last year. The album has already been previewed with the singles “Self Evident” and “Pendulum,” and promises to deliver the band’s signature blend of “dark electronics and sharp wit.” Mat Mitchell, who co-produced the album, noted that the team intentionally sought a “rawness and edge,” adding, “We got rid of the guard rails and made the music more aggressive.”
Keenan emphasized the album’s connection to the current socio-political climate, explaining, “‘Normal Isn’t’ reflects this time we are living in. As storytellers and artists, our job is to observe, interpret, and report. We take in our environment and share what we see, and what we see around us does not appear normal. Not by a long shot.”
The album features contributions from a diverse group of musicians, including Mitchell, Keenan, Carina Round, bassists Greg Edwards and Tony Levin, drummers Gunnar Olsen, Sarah Jones, and Danny Carey – who also collaborates with Keenan in Tool. Fans can pre-order the album here.
Puscifer will also embark on a US tour this year, with ticket and tour date information available here.
Reflecting on their approach to songwriting, Carina Round previously discussed Puscifer’s lyrical style with NME in 2020, stating, “I think lyrically, Maynard is really great at absorbing whatever is going on situationally and putting it together in a way that doesn’t completely give you the full story.” She added, “You have to be present with the record to really get it. He won’t talk about it, so it would be wrong for me to talk about it.”
The band continues to build a complex and immersive world for their fans, blending music, visuals, and now, narrative storytelling, solidifying their position as innovators in the alternative music landscape.
